Means for suspending fabric ventilation tubing, etc.



F. M. Bms

Nov. 24, 1931.

MEANS FOR SUSPENDING FABRIC VENTILATION TUBING, ETC

Filed April 10. 1931 Patented Nov. 1931 i pair-En s rnres P ATvE NT GEM-GE ERANKM; BINSQOF BUTTE, MONTANA MEANS FOR-SUSPENDING EABRIC VENTILATION TUBING, ETG.

ApplicationwfilednApril .10, 1931. Serial, No. 529,207.

"This invention is a novelimprovement in In my system, when the ventilation blower means for suspendingflexible ve'ntilatingis inoperative, or closed down fonrepairs, tubes such as used in mines. and the like for and air pressure thus diminished in the tubc nVeying air under pressureinto the shafts, ing, the full, collapse of the tubing is; preand drifts of the mines, su'ch' tubes being vented,my two point suspension at all times' formed of heavy fabric such as canvas, and, maintaining an opening through the tubing having exterior seams provided with spaced allowing free passage of air without causing -grommets. for the reception; of supporting the buildingup ,of excessive back-pressures. wires or hooks strung along a wire or cable -Severe whippingand'fiutteringoffthe tubing 10 extending through the mine shafts. The lines is "thus prevented. 60 I principal obj ect of my invention is to provide I will explainvtheinvention with reference 4 newand novel tubing, and a new andnovel to "the accompanying drawings which illustwo-point suspension for such ventilation "trates one practical embodiment thereof to p 7 tubing. enable others toadopt and use the same; and Heretofore the. suspension, of ventilating will summarize in the claims the novel fem-" tubing has been from a single centrally'dis- 'tures of construction, and novel combinations posed top seam on the tubing, but suchmethod of parts, forwhich protection is desired. of suspension has been found objectionable In said'drawings:

"due to .the fact that the Weight ofthe tubing Fig. 1 isha perspective view showing one is often to heavy to be properly supported I form ofinflated tubing with its supporting= from one single seam, and the grommets or 1, spreader; the collapsed condition of the .tub-

eyelets in the one seam h'ave beentorn-out of ing being shown in'dotted lines. thefab'ric due to such weight. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a..modifid Another objectionable feature of the sin'gle forrn' ofvtubing. e

seam suspension of such tubing is that such Fig. 3v is a perspective view of a still'fur- -7 method allows full collapsing, of the tubing thenmodified form of tubing. when the air pressure is diminished, i. e. when Fig. 4. is. a perspective view of a still fur- V the blower which supplies 'air to the ve'ntila- "ther modified form of tubing. tion line is inoperative, Such full collapsing Fig; 5 is a perspective view of a still furof'the tubingpermitslthe formation of series ther modified form of tubing. $130 of dams by buckling of thev fabric so that Figs. 6, .7,..8, 9. and 10 are enlarged plan when the blower is again set in operation a views showing variousforms of spreaders. ba:ck-pressure is initially built-up in the tub- "The tubing sections are preferably formed ingwhichcauses a violent'v'zhipping and fl'ut- H of heavy, fabric, such as canvas or the like, .tering of the tubinguntil the back-pressure the sections, being suitably connected .t0g.eth--- becomes sufficiently great to break through, er, and the tubing being treated, so as to be the said dams. The whipping of the tubingrelatively air-tight. Y oftencauses the eyelets or grommets tobe As shown in Fig. 1, the tubing l is woven torn from the'fabric, this being particularly seamless, and two spaced parallel side seams 4440' truewith respect to tubing of largesize or ,2 are formed on the exterior of thetubing diameter; f i V preferably by longitudinal folds in the fab- My novel two seam suspension overcomes ric which folds are single or double stitched the objec'tionable features of the single-seam along the line 3, ,or the folds may be cemented suspension above set forth,-sinc e-in the two together so as to form exterior projecting I iseam, or two point-:suspen'siom-on the sideseams of sufiicient height to permit the in walls of the tubing receiving'the ends of the sertion of a series of grommets or eyelets 4, yoke'spreaderseach seamor point carries but the eyelets in the seams being disposed oppolialf thewcightwhich would be carriedby "site each other to receive the ends of the fthe'single seam suspension now in use, and spreaders 5 which as shown in Fig. I preferthe tubingisprevente'd fromfully collapsing. ably comprise lengths of stiff wire bent to suit the curvature of the inflated tubing 1, said Spreaders 5 each having a hook 6 formed by twisting the wire at its center, said hooks supporting the tubing suspended from a messenger wire 7 extending into the tunnel or mine or other chamber which is to be ventilated. The outer ends of each spreader 5 are preferably bent upwardly as at 5a to form hooks whereby the ends can be readily engaged with or disengaged from the grommets 4.

The inflated form of the tubing 1 (in Fig. 1) is shown infull lines. When however the pressure within the tubing is decreased the tubing will partially collapse into the form shown in dotted lines, the spreader 5 maintaining the seams 2 spaced apart as H when inflated thereby preventing the fullcollapse of the tubing and preventing the formation of'dams therein due to buckling of the collapsed tubing.

The tubing shown in Fig. 2 is'constructed of two sections of fabric, the narrower upper section 10 being provided with the side edge folds 11; and the wider lowersection 12 having its side edges fitted inthe folds 11 of the upper section 10, the folds 11 being single or double stitched as at 13, or cement- I ed together, forming spaced parallel exterior seams (as in Fig. 1) on the tubing for the reception of the eyelets or grommets 4, to engage a spreader 5, which" spreader may be the same as that shown in Fig. 1. r

In Fig. 3 tubing 20 is constructed of a single section of fabric, one side edge being folded upon itself as at 21 and the opposite side edge being inserted in the fold and stitched .(single or double) along the 'line 22. or the members cemented together. The other seam 23 is formed by merely folding the material and stitching.- along the line 24, similarly to the scams 2 in 1. The opposite seams 21 and 23 receive the grommets or eyelets 4 for the reception of the spreader 5' which may be similar to the spreaders 5' of Figs. 1 and 2. V v r 1 In Fig.4 the tubing 30 andside seams 31 may be formed as in Figs. 1-2-3, or in any other manner but, instead of usinggrommets or eyelets, such as. 4 1n F1 gs. 123, metal tabs 32ymay be engaged with the'side seams 31, said tabs'comprising short lengthsof sheet metal bent over upon themselves so as .to straddle the seams 31, the lower edges of the tabs being provided with opposed inward'ly extending serrated teeth 33 adapted to be hammered or pressed into the side faces j of the seams 31 to lock the tabs'32 thereon. Tabs 32are provided withperforations 34 for engagement with the ends of the spread- -ers 5. Other forms of the metallic tabs for seam reinforcements may be used.

In Fig. 5 the tubing 40 is shown as con structed without seams but may be construct ed in any other desired manner. Instead of or cast spreader 50 of arcuate form having a centrally disposed upstanding hook 50a,

and relatively deep'depressions 50b forming end hooks for engaging the grommets 4 or the tabs 32 or cars 41. Fig. 7 shows a V-type spreader 51 of stiff wire, orof-forged'or cast metal, the heel 51a of the angle being centrally disposed and servingthe purposeof the hook 50a of Fig. 6; and having relatively deep depressions 51b forming end hooks at its ends. Figs. 8 and 9 also show V-type of triangular spread'ers 52 and 53 somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 7 but having sharper angularity. In Fig. 8 the deep end books 524 open inwardly, while in Fig. 9 the deep end hooks 53a open outwardly. In Fig. 10 the base 54 of the spreader is arc-shaped having deep depressions 540 at each end thereof to receive the grommets, tabs or ears;

the portions 54?) beyond the depressions 54a are adapted to be bent back over the base portion 54 and terminating in opposed hooks 54c adapted to engage suspension wire 7 at the center of the spreader as shown in dotted lines therein. Various other types of spreaders may be used.

My novel spreader prevents the full collapse of the'tubing and at all times holds the Sides of the tubing apart to maintain an open air passage within the tubing when pres sure is diminished or entirely removed by the closing down of the ventilation blower; so that when the blower is again set in motion the air currents are permitted to flow freely through the tubing, thus eliminating the whipping and fluttering of the tubing.

The full collapse of the tubing would close the air passageway within the suspended-tubing and upon starting up the blower a sufficient pressure would have to be built up within the collapsed tubing to break through the dams or buckled portions. Such back pressure or resistance to the free air flow causes whipping or fluttering of the tubing resulting in the tearing loose of the grommets 4, tabs 32 or ears 41 from the seams or fabric, particularly. when alarge size tube is used. My two point suspension method divides the weight of the tubing, each point of suspension carrying an equal or nearly equal weight, and strains are divided between two points instead of being carried by 'the single seam on the tubingnow in general use.

By using a messenger wire 7 asshown, the tubingcan be readily suspended from the roof or back of a tunnel or drift, with my novel spreaders. The tubing can also be suspended without the use of a messenger wire. Where there are timbers in a drift or tunnel the hangers can be suspended from the timbers with short pieces of wire fastened to a nail driven into the timber and engaging the grommets or ears or tabs.

Same may also be applied to the roof or back of a drift without timbers, short holes being drilled into the roof and fastening means provided by driving wooden plugs into the holes and then fastening short wires to the plugs, the wires engaging the Spreaders.

More than two seams, tabs or ears could be engaged with each spreader, although my preferred suspension is by use of two seams, tabs, or ears as illustrated in the drawings.

I do not limit my invention to the exact forms shown in the drawing for obviously changes may be made therein within the scop of the claims.

I claim 1. In combination with a collapsible tube, a series of aligned spreaders adapted to be engaged with a support and engaging the tube at opposite sides of the center and maintaining the opposite sides separated, whereby full collapsing of the suspended tube is prevented.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff member having a central support engaging portion, and having means at its ends for engaging the tube.

3. In a combination asset forth in claim 1, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff V-shaped memberhaving hooked ends for engaging the tube.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiif base member having spaced tube engaging portions and flexible return bend portions extending from thetube enga ing portions over the base member to the center thereof,

the ends of the return bend portions terminatmg in opposed hooks for engaging said support. 7

5. In a collapsible tube, an aligned series of pairs of spaced ears on the exterior of the tube ,spreaders adapted to be suspended from a support and engaging the pairs of cars and maintaining same in spaced relation whereby full collapsing of the suspended tube is prevented. p

6. In a. tube as set forth in claim 5, said Spreaders each comprising a. relatively stiff member adapted to extend between a pair of cars and having a centrally disposed support engaging portion, and having means at its ends for engaging the ears.

7 In a tube as set forth in claim 5, said Spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff V shaped member having hooked ends for engaging the ears.

8.- In a tube as set forth in claim 5, said tending from the ear engaging portions over the base member to the center thereof, the

ends ofrth'e return bend portions terminating V in opposed hooks for engaging the support. I

9. In a collapsible tube, spaced exterior ribs extending longitudinally of the tube; and a series of spreaders adapted to'be suspended from a. support engagingthe ribs and maintaining same in spaced relation whereby full collapsing of thesus-pended tube is prevented.

10. In a tube as set forth in claim 9, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff member adapted to extend between the ribs and having a centrally disposed support engaging portion; and having means at its ends for engaging the ribs.

11.. In a tube as set forth in claim 9, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff V-shaped member having hooked ends for engaging the ribs.

12. In a tube as set forth in claim 9, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff base member having spaced rib engaging portions, and flexible return bend port-ions extending from the rib engaging portions over the base member to the center thereof, the ends of the return bend portions terminating in opposed hooks for engaging the support.

. 13. In combination with a tube as set forth in claim 9, U-chaped metallic tabs adapted to straddle the ribs; and means on the tabs adapted to secure the tabs in position; said tabs being perforated to receive the ends of the Spreaders.

14. In a fabric. tube, longitudinal folds in the fabric forming spaced exterior ribs on the walls of the tube; series of grommets secured in said ribs; and a series of spreaders adapted to be suspended from a support engaging the grommets in the spaced ribs and maintaining the ribs in spaced relation whereby full collapsing of the suspended tube is prevented.

15. In a tube as set forth in claim 14, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff arcuate member adapted to extend between the ribs and having an upstanding centrally disposed support engaging hook, and having hooks at the ends of the member adapted to engage the grommets. I

16. In a tube as set forth in claim 14, said Spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff V-shaped member having hooked ends for en gaging the grommets.

17. In a tube as set forth in claim 14, said spreaders each comprising a relatively stiff arcuate base member having spaced depressed portions therein for engaging the grommets, and flexible return bend portions extending from the depressed portions over the base member to the center thereof, the ends of the return bend portions terminating in opposed hooks for engaging the support.

' In combination, a collapsible fabric tube, a continuous support above the tube;

anda series of spreaders suspended from the support and engaging the tube at one or more points at opposite sides of the center thereof to maintain the opposite sides in spaced relation and thereby prevent full collapsing of the tube.

19. In a combination as set forth in claim 18, perforated ears secured to the exterior of the tube for engaging the spreaders.

20. In a combination as set forth in claim 18, spaced exterior ribs formed by folding and stitching the fabric extendinglongitudinally of the tube at opposite sides of the center thereof for engagement with the spreaders.

Y FRANK M. BINS. 

